Below is very slightly edited press statement released by Police Scotland yesterday evening.
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following an assault and robbery on York Place in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The incident happened at around 3.10am on Sunday 7 December when a 22- year-old man and a 21-year-old man were walking on York Place, continuing 20 metres west of the Conan Doyle pub.
Five men on the other side of the road began shouting remarks at them, and then proceeded to cross the road and approached the victims from behind.
The victims were both punched to the ground and the 23-year-old victim's jacket was taken by the suspects, who made off on foot heading east along York Place.
The suspects are described as white, mid-twenties, 5ft 11in tall, medium build, short dark hair and medium build. One of the suspects was wearing a pink shirt or pink V-neck jumper; one was wearing a white polo shirt and the other three were wearing dark jackets.
DC Stevie Herd said: ‘This was an unprovoked assault and robbery and we are appealing for anyone who was in the area of York Place around 3.00am and who may have seen the group of five men walking in the area.’
Anyone who has information should contact Police on Tel. 101 or Crimestoppers (anonymously) 0800 555 111.